High schools kick off football season
Didn’t catch a game on Thursday? The opening week of the high school football season continues tonight. Check out our state championship predictions for each class and how teams rank in Classes A through C.
The Oklahoman’s Cameron Jourdan, James D. Jackson and Nick Sardis make their predictions for the nine football state champions during the 2021 season.
Class 6A-I
Cameron Jourdan: Tulsa Union. With nearly every starter returning on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Grayson Tempest and defensive back Jayden Rowe, Union is primed to win its first title since 2016.
James D. Jackson: Owasso. The Rams know how to win championships and they have a lot of talent returning. Nick Sardis: Owasso. The Rams have one of the state’s best coaches in Bill Blankenship and enough talent to win their third title since 2017.
Class 6A-II
Jourdan: Bixby. Braylin Presley, Luke Hasz and Co. have the ability to win every game this season, which would be the Spartans fourth straight title and set a state record for 11-man wins in a row.
Jackson: Choctaw. With players such as Steele Wasel, Cade McConnell, Desean Brown and R.J. Jackson on the field, the Yellowjackets have enough talent this year to break through.
Sardis: Choctaw. The Yellowjackets are loaded, and junior quarterback Steele Wasel has a year of varsity experience under his belt. Choctaw has progressively improved in recent seasons and is now at its peak.
Class 5A
Jourdan: Collinsville. Carl Albert, the five-time defending champion, will be an extremely tough out come playoff time, but Collinsville with senior quarterback Andrew Carney leading the way has the ability to end the Titans’ streak. Jackson: Carl Albert. The Titans will have a new quarterback and head coach but the system and mentality has already been instilled in the group after winning five consecutive seasons. Sardis: Carl Albert. Hard to go against a program that has won five consecutive state championships. The Titans might struggle at the start of the year, but they almost always find a way to become a serious contender.
Class 4A
Jourdan: Cushing. The Tigers’ junior class is immensely talented, but Camden Crooks leads the pack. Cushing’s offense will be dynamic and hard to stop.
Jackson: Tuttle. Defense wins championships and the Tigers have one of the best. Returning as a more experienced team, Tuttle will be able to win it all. Sardis: Tuttle. Class 4A is filled with great defenses, and Tuttle has been known for its prowess on that side of the ball in recent years. The Tigers will also have a talented offense this season, making them one of the most balanced teams in the state.
Class 3A
Jourdan: Heritage Hall. Although the Chargers are young up front, a plethora of talent at the skill positions, including star Gavin Freeman, propels Heritage Hall back on top.
Jackson: Tulsa Holland Hall. After an undefeated season, the defending state champions graduated a bunch but still have key guys like NuNu Campbell and Ethan Roush to lead a talented group.
Sardis: Tulsa Lincoln Christian. The Bulldogs have won 26 of their past 27 games. They lost to Tulsa Holland Hall in last year’s title game and will use that fuel this season.
Class 2A
Jourdan: Beggs. With the star running back duo of CJ Brown and Red Martel, Beggs will give opposing defenses fits. Maliek Bogard, who’s back following an injury, will be pivotal on the defensive line.
Jackson: Tulsa Metro Christian. The Patriots didn’t lose a lot from last year’s state championship team. They can win their third in a row.
Sardis: Tulsa Metro Christian. Star junior quarterback Kirk Francis is back and will lead one of the best offenses in Class 2A.
Class A
Jourdan: Pawhuska. The Huskies seemed destined for a collision course with Cashion, the team it lost to in the semifinals last year, but Pawhuska seems set for a championship run. Jackson: Cashion. The Wildcats became the first Oklahoma team to win 16 games and the state championship last season and they’ll have their leader in quarterback Ben Harman running the show again.
Sardis: Ringling. The Blue Devils have dominated since coach Phil Koons took over the program, losing just three games in the three seasons he’s been there.
Class B
Jourdan: Laverne. Six starters return offensively for the 2020 runner-up, which gives Laverne an edge as the season progresses.
Jackson: Shattuck. After advancing to the semifinals last season, Shattuck returns with vital experience that will put them over the top.
Sardis: Laverne. The Tigers lost in the state finals last year but will get it done this time.
Class C
Jourdan: Mountain View-Gotebo. Star Rylan Belcher is back after being injured in the semifinal game last year. When he’s healthy, Mountain View-Gotebo is tough to beat.
Jackson: Tyrone. With quarterback Kobie Williams, 10 seniors and everyone else returning, the returning champs will have the chance to repeat.
Sardis: Mountain View-Gotebo. Last season didn’t end the way the Tigers had hoped, and they’ll try to avenge that.